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Smith Stars Again For Bolts

The Associated Press

Tampa Bay Lightning's Martin St. Louis, left, celebrates with teammates Vincent Lecavalier, top, and Vaclav Prospal.

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By ERIK ERLENDSSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 5, 2009

ATLANTA - The second half of back-to-back games are generally reserved for the other guy. But Mike Smith wants to be the guy.

On Sunday, back in goal less than 24 hours after a loss at home to Carolina, Smith was that guy with a stellar 27-save performance in a 4-1 victory at Philips Arena, losing a bid for his third shutout of the season with 22 seconds left.

Marty St. Louis notched his third multi-goal game in the past 11 contests while Steve Eminger and Ryan Malone also scored, helping Tampa Bay snap a six-game winless streak in Atlanta.The game was the 10th consecutive start for Smith, who has posted a 4-4-2 record with a 2.35 goals-against average during that time. It includes a dismal performance in Washington on New Year's Day in which he allowed seven goals.

"I'm getting the opportunity to play, especially after games in which I haven't been my best and I guess that shows what kind of confidence they have in me and when you get that opportunity you like to show them that you can respond in those situations," said Smith, who broke a three-game winless streak Sunday. "It's nice to be the guy that they are going to, to help them get out of this thing."

Lightning interim coach Rick Tocchet indicated Sunday might be a chance to give Karri Ramo a start, but changed his mind.

"Smitty has just really battled this year and this has been kind of a tough week, and this was the type of game where I wanted him to realize that we appreciate what he has done," Tocchet said. "Maybe he's had some struggles this week, but to get him in there when we have three or four days off between games and he obviously did a good job for us."

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